Top dermatologists reveal the best ways to fight clogged pores and redness

Breakout Busters

Breakout Busters

Just when you thought you had securely packed away all the remnants of your teenage years—embarrassing yearbook photos, cassette mix tapes, love letters to Johnny Depp—acne, the most treacherous memory of all, comes creeping back. A landmark study in 1999 found the median age for acne to be 26.5, and our derms have noticed that the age of new sufferers continues to increase. Plus, "more women have breakouts in adulthood than men do," says UCLA dermatologist Jenny Kim, MD, PhD. The jury is still out on why breakouts are on the rise, but dermatologists speculate it's linked to an overall increase in hormonal fluctuations. Read on to learn how to put an end to your acne for good.

Breakout Busters: Clear Complexion Secrets

Breakout Busters: Clear Complexion Secrets

What's worse than a zinger of a pimple? The spot or indentation it leaves behind. "That's why retinoids are great for acne—they slough off the damage and boost collagen to fill scars," Kim says. Salicylic or glycolic acid creams and lighteners such as hydroquinone can help remove dark spots; for deeper scars, "certain lasers such as Fraxel repair more severe damage," Kim says.